Ultima Thule Lodge activity, Wrangell St. Elias National Park

Wild Alaska by Plane & Boat

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

15 Days

Prices Start from

£16,445pp(ex. flights)

Utilising charter flights and nimble boats to travel between arguably the most visually stunning landscapes in Alaska – Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Glacier Bay and Frederick Sound – this beyond the ordinary adventure offers an in-depth insight (not to mention a remarkable birds’ eye view) of the state’s most iconic landscapes.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Ultima Thule Lodge, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska, USA 1

Glacier Trekking

Fly to remote areas and disembark the aircraft for hiking and glacier trekking.

Sunset over the lake 2

Fly Wrangell-St. Elias

Explore the colossal Wrangell-St. Elias National Park by small bush plane on a flight-seeing trip.

Cystal blue glacial water 3

Sail Glacier Bay

Listen for the ‘white thunder’ of glaciers calving into the fjord in Glacier Bay.

Humpback Whale, Caribbean Sea 4

Whales & Bears

Scout for elusive wolves, remarkable orcas, and both Alaskan brown and black bears.

Why we like it

Designed to appeal to those who wish to journey through Alaska in style and comfort, this small bush plane and expeditionary boat journey that takes in Wrangell-St.Elias National Park, Glacier Bay and Frederick Sound is both extravagant and adventurous. In the company of expert guides, travel from the colossal wilderness of Wrangell-St.Elias to the unassuming city of Anchorage and from the icy fjords of Glacier Bay to the whale habits of the Icy Strait. While utilising a completely private bush plane is undeniably exclusive, the real asset of travelling in this way is the opportunity it brings to both cut down on travelling time and take in the overwhelming sense of scale of Alaska (Wrangell-St.Elias alone is six times the size of Yellowstone). Throw in high chances of spotting native wildlife – from bears and moose to puffins and eagles – with the unique opportunities to sail on an exclusive cruise and discover Alaska’s native heritage, and this journey becomes truly extraordinary.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Days 1-2

    Anchorage

  • Day 3

    Anchorage - McCarthy - Wrangell-St.Elias National Park

  • Days 4-5

    Wrangell-St.Elias National Park

  • Day 6

    Wrangell-St.Elias National Park - McCarthy - Anchorage

  • Day 7

    Anchorage

  • Day 8

    Anchorage - Juneau - Sailing the Inside Passage

  • Days 9-10

    Sailing the Inside Passage: Glacier Bay

  • Day 11

    Sailing the Inside Passage: Icy Strait

  • Day 12

    Sailing the Inside Passage: Chichagof Island & Barnhoff Island

  • Day 13

    Sailing the Inside Passage: Frederick Sound

  • Day 14

    Sailing the Inside Passage: Ford's Terror & Endicott Arm

  • Day 15

    Juneau - Seattle

Days 1-2

Anchorage

View of Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Discover Alaska’s Native Heritage in Anchorage and have a privately guided history, art and culture tour.

Day 3

Anchorage - McCarthy - Wrangell-St.Elias National Park

Sunset over the lake

Explore the colossal Wrangell-St. Elias National Park by small bush plane on a flight-seeing trip.

Days 4-5

Wrangell-St.Elias National Park

Ultima Thule Lodge, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska, USA

Fly to remote areas and disembark the aircraft for memorable hiking and unique glacier trekking.

Day 6

Wrangell-St.Elias National Park - McCarthy - Anchorage

Day 7

Anchorage

Day 8

Anchorage - Juneau - Sailing the Inside Passage

Days 9-10

Sailing the Inside Passage: Glacier Bay

Cystal blue glacial water

Take to the waters of Glacier Bay, listening for the ‘white thunder’ of glaciers calving into the fjord.

Day 11

Sailing the Inside Passage: Icy Strait

Day 12

Sailing the Inside Passage: Chichagof Island & Barnhoff Island

Day 13

Sailing the Inside Passage: Frederick Sound

Day 14

Sailing the Inside Passage: Ford's Terror & Endicott Arm

Day 15

Juneau - Seattle

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Ultima Thule Lodge, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska, USA
Ultima Thule Lodge, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska, USA

Picnics & Glacier Flights

Fly by bush plane into Wrangell-St. Elias, the remote National Park that boasts dramatic snow-dusted alpine ranges and glaciers. Staying in a hand-picked exclusive wilderness lodge that specialises in adventures by plane, explore the region by air and try hiking or even meditating in the wilderness. In this playground for intrepid travellers, fly metres over glaciers and land on top of mountains for a memorable al fresco picnic. Whether you choose to travel as part of a small group or in an entirely customised private tour, there will be opportunities for wildlife flight-seeing safaris that touch down on secluded beaches, calving glaciers and open meadows in pursuit of bears and thinhorn sheep.

Hubbard Glacier, Inside Passage, USA
Hubbard Glacier, Inside Passage, USA

Welcome to the Wilderness

Sail to frequently calving tidewater glaciers of Glacier Bay, perhaps boarding a zodiac cruise to weave among icebergs in the quiet of the majestic wilderness. As the course sets for the Icy Strait, arguably the richest whale-watching waters in southeast Alaska, scour the nutrient-rich waters for the telltale humpback blow. Inspect the remote coastline for bears and mountain goats and look out for diving puffins and soaring eagles while journeying along the waterfall coast of Chichagof Island, marvelling at landscapes that are not in many guide books. Kayak past cliff-walled fjords that slice into mountains as you navigate Ford’s Terror, a pristine tidal inlet and fjord that is widely considered to be the most stunning scene in all of Alaska. Then, in the ice-filled fjord of Endicott Arm, photograph gleaming ice-covered mountains before toasting your voyage with a farewell dinner.

Orca in Galcier Bay, Alaska, USA
Orca in Galcier Bay, Alaska, USA

Sailing the Inside Passage: Scouting for Bears & Orcas

In the company of experienced expedition leaders, sail on a small expeditionary ship through narrow bays and inlets in which other ships cannot navigate, spending each day exploring forests, glaciers and coastline in the company of expert naturalist guides. Constantly scouting the landscapes for incredible Alaskan wildlife, including orcas, humpbacks, sea otters, dolphins, moose and brown bears, embark on hiking trips, kayaking excursions, paddle boarding adventures, skiff rides, glacier treks and more. Absorb the solitude of the wilderness while unwinding in the upper deck hot tub or sipping a sundowner in the salon.

View of Anchorage, Alaska, USA
View of Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Totem Pole, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Totem Pole, Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Discover Alaska's Native Heritage in Anchorage

Spend time in the quirky snow-backed city of Anchorage, perhaps visiting two local gems, the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Museum, during a privately guided history, art and culture tour. We can also arrange a private helicopter glacier excursion, making landings to explore and hike, that will immerse you in Alaska’s wild and rugged terrain. Alternatively, it is possible to embark on a private whale watching expedition through the Prince William Sound on a cruiser boat that encompasses glacier exploration and onshore hikes.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Safari Explorer £££££

  • USA

A nimble 36-passenger yacht that cuts through the gentle surf of the Pacific Ocean at a maximum cruising speed of 10 knots, the 145-foot-long Safari Explorer is capable of navigating the wildest edges of both Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands. Guests can lounge on the sundeck and soak up the laid-back aloha spirit as the yacht plots a course around the Hawaiian Islands or venture out in kayaks and on paddle boards to explore the dynamic ocean below. Snorkelling gear and wet suits are provided, as are hiking poles for the excursions, and guests will also find an array of fitness equipment, a book library and a wine library on board.

View Boat

Ultima Thule Lodge £££££

  • Alaska
  • Wilderness

Ultima Thule Lodge is an exclusive wilderness lodge within the wild and remote lands of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve, the largest protected wilderness on earth. It offers the opportunity to explore this untamed landscape of glaciers, mountains and rivers that are grand, even in Alaskan terms. The specialist activity at the lodge is adventures by plane, with no agendas, each day is determined by the weather, your mood and interests. The five cabins at this intimate lodge are handcrafted with local timber, each with two bedrooms, a sitting area and superb views of the Chitina River and surrounding mountains.

View Property

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A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £16,445 Per person

When to travel

USA in July

Being one of the hottest months of the year, with temperatures regularly reaching 28°C in the big cities, July remains a peak time to visit the US.

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